Wild Turkey Stir Fry with Redbud Seed Pods and Wild Asparagus

One of my favorite signs of spring is the explosion of magenta-colored blooms from the Eastern Redbud (Cercis Canadensis) across the forest landscape. And not just because they are a nice splash of color after a long, cold winter or the fact that they normally coincide with turkey season. Both the blooms and the seed pods from the redbud are not just edible but are actually delicious.

For this recipe, we picked the seed pods while they were still small and green, probably two to three weeks after peak bloom. Once they get large and start to turn purple, they can be a bit tough. Redbud seed pods are tangy, slightly sour and are high in vitamin C. You can substitute them for snow peas in most recipes.

Many thanks to avid hunter, wild game chef and forager, Julie Gracie, for the inspiration behind this one. Since redbuds and wild turkey just seem to go together, we diced up one side of a turkey breast and stir fried it with redbud seed pods, wild asparagus, and locally grown mushrooms. The sweetness of the teriyaki sauce matches up nicely to the sour redbud pods and the heat from the pepper flakes.

Since proper stir frying requires extremely high heat, and the smoke that comes with it, I like to use my cast iron Lodge wok on an outdoor gas burner. Be sure to use an oil with a high smoke point, like peanut or sesame. 

Start by heating your wok over high heat for a few minutes. Pour in the oil to heat then add the turkey. Stir for five to 10 minutes until the turkey is just cooked through. Remove the turkey from the wok and reserve. Add the asparagus and cook for three to four minutes then add the mushrooms and cook for an additional three minutes. Next, add the redbud seed pods and toss until the pods are soft, about three more minutes.

Return the turkey to the wok and add the garlic, Kentuckyaki, salt, white pepper and red pepper flakes. Reduce heat and stir in the soy sauce. Serve over rice or noodles.